On the emerald bridge of light, Rhodes's body was completely enveloped by pure Life Origin energy.
Every inch of skin and every single cell rejoiced, greedily absorbing the gift from the world's very source. Under the wash of this primal force, his soul broke free from the shackles of mortality, evolving toward a higher plane of existence. Countless fine, green patterns emerged and interwove upon the surface of his soul, forming a natural sigil identical in origin to the Emerald Dream itself. This mark permanently linked his existence to Azeroth's life-web, making Rhodes, from that moment forward, a member of the Wild Gods.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Cenarius closed his eyes and concentrated, fully expanding his life-domain to comb through and guide this massive torrent of energy for Rhodes. He could feel the staggering metamorphosis occurring within Rhodes—it wasn't just an increase in power, but an essential leap in life-tier. Rhodes's strength was already formidable before the infusion, far exceeding that of a typical Wild God.
Azeroth, curious to see where Rhodes's limit lay, increased the output of power. To her, Life Origin was an inexhaustible resource that she could draw from the cosmic void at any time.
"Hold on, Rhodes," Cenarius's voice echoed through their mental link. "The fusion of Life Origin takes time. Let this power permeate every corner of your body. Do not resist; become a part of it. Absorb it."
Rhodes maintained consciousness amidst the flood of energy. Easy for you to say, boss! Why don't you try it? His body felt caught between agony and ecstasy. Every cell cheered at the influx of life, yet every cell was being torn apart and restructured—a level of pain a mortal could never comprehend. Had his mental energy not been so high, he would have been reduced to an idiot.
[Detection: High-Tier Life Origin Infusion...]
[New Ability Unlocked: Wild God Form]
[Trait Gained: Emerald Dream Connection]
[Trait Gained: Immortal Body (Wild God Edition)]
[Hero Attributes Greatly Enhanced... All Attributes +5.]
Since his last drink from the Well of Eternity, Rhodes's stats had reached a new peak. His Attack and Defense had broken past 15, making him stronger than many dedicated melee heroes. His Spell Power and Knowledge had surged into the 30s. In terms of raw magical capacity, he now had thousands of mana points—he simply couldn't run out in a single battle.
Time lost all meaning in the Dream. Rhodes had no idea how long it had passed. When the emerald pillar projected by Azeroth finally faded, Rhodes slowly opened his eyes. He still stood on the light bridge, but the world looked entirely different. The air was no longer just gas; it was an ocean of flowing life energy. He could "hear" the whispers of distant ancients, "smell" the breath of microbes in the soil, and "feel" the pulse of every living thing in the Dream.
Is this the perception of a demigod? The unique senses of a Wild God!
Rhodes looked down at his hands. A nearly invisible emerald shimmer covered his skin—the natural overflow of Life Origin. He clenched his fist, feeling not just the strength of his muscles, but the support of the entire natural world.
His physical appearance remained human, but he had gained a transformation skill. It wasn't a giant of light like his Holy Light form, but a body-altering shift. Rhodes's transformation was that of a Golden-Emerald Divine Dragon. This was the specific "Wild God" form Azeroth had tailored for him.
"It is done," Cenarius said with relief. "Welcome to the ranks of the Wild Gods, Rhodes. You are now an official member of Azeroth's life-web."
"Thank you, Teacher. Without your guidance, I couldn't have endured such power," Rhodes said sincerely.
"It was your own destiny; I merely lent a small hand," Cenarius replied.
At that moment, Azeroth's massive soul projection pulsed once more. "...Well done... the bridge of life is complete... Rhodes... you are a true Wild God now... feel this power... know it... use it... The transformation I gave you is a gift. In that form, your melee prowess will be vastly increased... though your spell potency will not change. As for the appearance... I sensed a great reverence for this totem in your heart... so I crafted your form to match it. I hope you like it."
"I am grateful for your gift, Great Azeroth," Rhodes bowed.
"No need for formalities. You may test this new form; it will grow stronger as you do," the Great Silhouette spoke.
Rhodes nodded. Curious and expectant, he instinctively focused his will on the newly acquired power—and triggered the Wild God Transformation.
The emerald shimmer around him turned into a blinding blaze! Life energy erupted like a tide, forming fine golden lines on his skin that interwove with the green energy to create complex patterns. His body began to stretch and expand within the radiance, forming a long, elegant dragon spine. Jade-like scales emerged, flowing with internal energy. His legs merged and extended into a powerful dragon tail.
The most dramatic change was his head. His facial structure was reshaped into a majestic dragon's visage with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. A pair of golden, stag-like antlers burst from his forehead, entwined with emerald energy. His eyes became vertical slits of deep jade iris with golden light swirling in the depths.
In seconds, the transformation was complete. He took the form of an Eastern Dragon (or a Cloud Serpent), similar to the Jade Serpent of Pandaria but far more massive. His body reached a length of 300 meters.
"ROAR—"
A low, majestic dragon roar erupted from his throat, shaking the entire Emerald Dream. It was a roar of a king. Deep in the Dream, Druids and Green Dragons alike looked on in shock. Even Ysera, the Dreamer, was stunned—this roar carried a primal, "Progenitor" strength.
Azeroth had infused Rhodes with a portion of the Progenitor Dragon power (Galakrond's lineage). Rhodes was now a dragon whose life-tier far exceeded that of the Dragon Aspects.
"This is..." Cenarius's eyes widened. Even with his vast experience, he was shaken. Most Wild Gods were tens of meters tall; even his father, Malorne, was roughly that size. But Rhodes had reached a staggering 300 meters. While a Cloud Serpent is long and slender, his total mass was equivalent to a hundred-meter-tall titan of a beast. He was now, in a literal sense, the most powerful Wild God in existence.
His size even eclipsed Deathwing (Neltharion). Rhodes felt his new power; he could now level an entire city purely through physical force without casting a single spell. And though his spells weren't "enhanced," he could still use them—infusing this body with Holy Light or Life energy.
He tested the Holy Light first. A golden radiance filled the Dream as his golden-emerald scales were completely overtaken by brilliant gold. He had become a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon. If I go back to the modern era in this form, I'll be way too conspicuous! But at least I'll be the coolest thing around.
After flying through the sky for a while, he descended and returned to human form.
"How do you feel?" Cenarius asked.
"Excellent," Rhodes clenched his fist. "Strength, perception—everything has peaked. I have a powerful trump card now."
"...Remember your promise... the Light and the Fel... I need those last pieces... Go... return to reality with Cenarius... a war is about to unfold... use this power to protect this world..."
"I will not fail you," Rhodes promised.
With a flash of light, Rhodes and Cenarius were sent out of the core as Azeroth retreated to recover her strength. Meanwhile, at the other end of the Dream, Ysera the Dreamer had already summoned her children. She had to know what kind of Progenitor-level presence had just roared. She could sense a familiar aura near it—the aura of her foster son, Cenarius.
You have returned to the physical world as a newly minted Wild God. Should you immediately demonstrate your Golden Dragon form to the Night Elf army to boost morale, or should you keep this "Progenitor" power hidden to catch the Burning Legion off guard when they finally invade?